This morning I dashed over to the small local grocery store. On my way I passed a guy setting up the tent for the usual GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) Friday fundraiser for the local group. We exchanged 'good mornings' and he asked me, 'So, did you make it through the Christmas alright?' I was rather taken aback by his phrasing, but I smiled and said I did. 'Ah, that's grand,' he replied,'That's what it's all about.' I think I said, 'Yeah' or something equally meaningless, but in my head I was laughing and thinking, 'It is? Getting through the Christmas alright is what it's all about? Who knew?' And I bet you thought doing the hokey-pokey was what it's all about! 😀😉
Ah well, he provided me with some pre-coffee amusement, and that's always good. I hope you have some moments of laughter in your day, too.
3 comments:
I think that for some, Shari, getting through Christmas really is what it’s all about. The contrived jollity of the season seems to incite depression and a sense of alienation in those prone to such terrible states.
That's true. I know several people who are extremely glad when Christmas is over. I like the season, but the day itself is a bit depressing for me because it marks the start of my season of dread. This year I did laundry and took out trash and recycling. We don't exchange gifts or anything. It's just a day. What struck me about his comment was more that he would engage in small talk with a stranger in that way.
I should also say that on my way home, I heard him saying the same thing to someone he knows. I'm not sure that he meant it as an actual statement about his feelings about Christmas. I took it as an interesting Irish turn of phrase, which I still find interesting, even after a decade.
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